Who We Are

From two full-time staff to the over 2,300 educators in our DCPZ network, we are grateful to work with a remarkable set of leaders who deliver high-quality professional development in various formats.

Staff

Jim Reese | Director​

Jim joined WIS in 2008 as Director of Studies at the Cleveland Park campus. An experienced English teacher, Jim has taught locally in public schools and abroad in international schools. He regularly lectures in or teaches courses at George Washington University, where he earned his Master in Education and Doctor of Education degrees. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Davidson College. On the faculty of the Project Zero Classroom summer institute from 2001-2016, Jim served as Education Coordinator from 2006-2016; has taught and coached in Project Zero online courses; and was the Education Chair of the Project Zero Perspectives off-site conferences from their inception in 2010 until 2017.

Isadora Italia | Programs Manager

Isadora joined the PD Collaborative in 2023. Prior to joining us, Isadora served as Campus Engagement Manager at the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College. In this position, she developed strategies for increasing the museum's interaction with students and campus audiences. Earlier in her career, Isadora supported teacher and education programs at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Yale Center for British Art. She graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in art history, and is currently finishing a master's in cultural studies from Dartmouth.

Advisory Council

Maquita Alexander​

Head of School, Van Ness Elementary School (DCPS)

Heidi Hinish

Head of Gallery and Studio Learning, National Gallery of Art

Jefferson Burnett

Senior Vice President for Education Innovation, National Association of Independent Schools

Julian Hipkins

Global Studies Coordinator, Roosevelt High School (DCPS)

Suzanna Jemsby

Suzanna Jemsby

Head of School, Washington International School

Cynthia Robinson-Rivers

Partner, Transcend

Veronica Boix Mansilla

Principal Investigator, Harvard Project Zero

Laura Engel

Assistant Professor of International Education and International Affairs, GWU

WHO BELONGS TO THE DCPZ NETWORK?​

DC-Project Zero comprises over 2,300 educators–most of whom work in the DC region in traditional public, public charter, independent and religious private schools, or in museums and early childhood centers. Belonging to the network gives educators access throughout the year to a wealth of professional learning opportunities sponsored by the PDC as well as by like-minded organizations.